Deposition Rates in Thermal Laser Epitaxy: Simulation and Experiment

TL;DR

This paper presents a finite element simulation model for predicting deposition rates in Thermal Laser Epitaxy, validated by experimental data, and discusses how it can be used to study high-temperature properties of elements.

Contribution

The paper introduces a validated simulation model for TLE deposition rates that depends on thermophysical constants and uses melting point data for parameter calibration.

Findings

Excellent agreement between simulation and experimental data.

Simulation sensitivity to thermophysical constants.

Potential to study high-temperature properties of elements.

Abstract

The modeling of deposition rates in Thermal Laser Epitaxy (TLE) is essential for the accurate prediction of the evaporation process and for improved dynamic process control. We demonstrate excellent agreement between experimental data and a model based on a finite element simulation that describes the temperature distribution of an elemental source when irradiated with continuous wave laser radiation. The simulation strongly depends on the thermophysical constants of the material, data of which is lacking for many elements. Effective values for the parameters may be determined with precision by means of an unambiguous reference provided by the melting point of the material, which is directly observed during the experiments. TLE may therefore be used to study the high temperature thermophysical and optical properties of the elements.